More bad news for Arsenal: Going into key EPL battles without their general of defence?
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 05.04.26. | 17:33
Not only did the Gunners shockingly lose to the second-tier side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals last night, but they might have lost Gabriel Magalhaes as well
Arsenal's season has entered its final stage, and things do not look good for the North London side at the moment. Yes, they are still at the top of the Premier League, though their form doesn't make the fans overly optimistic.
Each of their recent wins was hard-fought, while the defeats in the EFL Cup final to Manchester City and in the FA Cup quarter-finals to the second-tier side Southampton must have shaken the squad and its morale.
Nevertheless, since the beginning of the campaign, the Gunners' crucial goal has been the Premier League title, and that triumph would diminish all other failures. Still, it won't be easy to achieve, especially if Mikel Arteta's team enters the final stretch of the season without their essential defensive pillar.
Namely, not only did Arsenal shockingly lose to the Saints last night, but they might have lost Gabriel Magalhaes as well.
The Brazilian clocked 72 minutes before being replaced by William Saliba, while the Gunners' boss revealed in the post-match press conference that the defender asked to be subbed off due to a knee issue.
"I don't know, I think he felt something - I don't know exactly what it is. We're going to have to assess him - but obviously when a player is asking to be substituted, it's never good news," Arteta said via The Mirror.
🚨 Mikel Arteta offers injury update on Gabriel Magalhaes after FA Cup exit
— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) April 5, 2026
"I don’t know. He felt something, we don’t know exactly what it is.
“But when a player asks to be substituted, it is not ideal.” pic.twitter.com/bgYRW0Eejg
Gabriel's condition has yet to be assessed, though he's likely to miss the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting Lisbon in two days, where Cristhian Mosquera will probably need to step in.
In the end, it goes without saying how big a blow his potential lengthy absence would be for the Gunners and their EPL quest. That's why everyone around the club is currently praying for Gabriel's health.
FA CUP - QUARTER-FINALS
Saturday
Manchester City - Liverpool 4-0 (2-0)
/Haaland 39 pen, 45+2, 57, Semenyo 50/
Chelsea - Port Vale 7-0 (3-0)
/Hato 2, Pedro 25, Lawrence-Gabriel 42 og, Adarabioyo 57, Santos 69, Estevao 82, Garnacho 90+2 pen/
Southampton - Arsenal 2-1 (1-0)
/Stewart 35, Charles 85 - Gyokeres 68/
Sunday
18.30: (2.45) West Ham (3.55) Leeds (2.80)
***odds are subject to change***